Women's Ashes 2nd ODI

Meg Lanning hit a stunning century as Australia beat England to level the Women's Ashes series at Bristol.

Lanning's 104 came in 98 balls and included 13 fours as she laid the platform for Australia's 259-6.



England's openers put on 92, but once Heather Knight (38) and Charlotte Edwards (58) were parted the hosts collapsed.



They lost their last seven wickets for 40 runs, being bowled out for 196 - Megan Schutt taking 4-47.

Ex-England spinner Holly Colvin on BBC Test Match Special:
"England will look at this one in depth. They've got a couple of days before Sunday, they'll look to train hard and come back with real intent at Worcester. Amy Jones was an odd choice for me at four, Lauren Winfield has been doing brilliantly in the Championship and averaging 200, although she's been opening the batting there."

Having lost the first of the seven-match Ashes series in Taunton on Tuesday, the Southern Stars fought back impressively to claim the two points and draw themselves level.


With the final ODI in Worcester on Sunday, England will look to claim a slender lead before the Test and three T20s.


After Australia's top order failed in Taunton, Elyse Villani and Nicole Bolton made slow but steady work of the first powerplay, reaching 38-0 after 10 overs.


Lanning, who fell for a duck in the first ODI, came to the crease with her side well set on 103-2, and looked every bit the batting talent that earned her the accolade of women's cricketer of the year in May.


Driving and sweeping the ball to the ropes to perfection, the 23-year-old reached her 50 off 58 balls, before accelerating.


A drop behind the stumps by Sarah Taylor earned Lanning a reprieve on 72 as she went on to complete her sixth ODI century - just three behind counterpart Edwards, who has played 149 more matches.


At the other end, Ellyse Perry (48), searching for a record seventh consecutive half-century, was able to milk easy singles.


And, despite the Southern Stars losing 4-22 from 3.2 overs at the end of their innings, Lanning's brilliance helped them post 259-6.


Victory for England would have required a record chase and although they started well, an exceptional piece of fielding from Lanning saw Knight run out for 38.


Edwards, who made her 45th ODI half-century, looked primed for a ton of her own but with the hosts having reached 122-1 off the first 25 overs then suffered a dramatic collapse.


The accusation that England's middle order struggle when their top order have failed to fire certainly looked accurate.


Megan Schutt's selection, having been brought in as an extra pace option at the expense of spinner Kristen Beams, proved to be the difference as she took 4-47, including the vital wicket of Edwards.

Women's Ashes schedule
Date	Game	Venue	Winner	Pts available
21 Jul	1st ODI	Taunton	Eng (4 wkts)	2 (Eng 2-0)
23 Jul	2nd ODI	Bristol	Aus (63 runs)	2 (2-2)
26 Jul	3rd ODI	Worcester	-	2
11-14 Aug	Test	Canterbury	-	4
26 Aug	1st T20	Chelmsford	-	2
28 Aug	2nd T20	Hove	-	2
31 Aug	3rd T20	Cardiff	-	2